Israel Asks Humanitarian Organizations to Leave Rafah

Israel objected to some of the details proposed by Hamas. Rafah residents are filled with fear.

AFP

Palestinian residents in Rafah, Gaza Strip, prepare to evacuate on May 6, 2024.

GAZA, TUESDAY — After controlling the Rafah border gate, Israel asked humanitarian organizations to leave the area. Various parties asked Israel to be pressured to prioritize ceasefire.

Israeli military (IDF) spokesman Nadav Shoshani confirmed that the IDF had taken control of the Gaza border with Egypt. Palestinian refugees in Rafah were asked to go to Al Mawasi. "International organizations are also encouraging evacuation," he said, Tuesday (7/5/2024).

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The spokesperson for the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (UN OCHA), Jens Laerke, mentioned that Israel has closed the Rafah border crossing. "The Rafah border crossing with Egypt is now under IDF control and we have been informed that there is no passage for people or goods," he said.

UN OCHA workers are forbidden by Israel from crossing Rafah, meaning there is now no entry or exit point from Gaza to Egypt. Previously, Israel had also closed the Karem Shalom crossing point.

AFP

Palestinian refugees who left Rafah in southern Gaza Strip with their belongings after an evacuation order by the Israeli army, in Khan Yunis, on Monday (5/6/2024).

The UN Secretary General, Antonio Guterres, urged for the two crossing points to be reopened. He also urged for attacks on Rafah to be stopped. "I am disturbed and pressured by the new military activities in Israel by the IDF," he said.

The Family Forum of Hostages and Missing Persons is urging the United States and other countries to pressure Israel. They want the US to push Israel to immediately agree to a ceasefire.

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Ceasefire negotiations between Hamas and Israel have not yet reached a conclusion. Israeli tanks are still lined up blocking the Rafah gate, which is the border between the Gaza Strip in Palestine and Egypt. The gate was closed so no one could go in and out.

Panic occurred in Rafah as residents were unsure of the destination for evacuation. This is because Rafah is where they have been seeking refuge since Israel attacked Gaza following the Aqsa Storming by Hamas on October 7, 2023. As many as 80 percent of the 2.3 million Gaza residents have taken refuge in Rafah. They live in cramped conditions.

AFP

Palestinian refugees leave Rafah with their belongings to safer areas in the southern Gaza Strip, Tuesday (7/5/2024).

Several areas in Rafah have been subjected to air attacks by Israel. The Israeli warning to evacuate has made residents think that a ground attack will soon occur. The United Nations (UN) has warned Israel not to carry out any ground attacks. This warning was issued because some UN staff reported that they were banned by Israel from bringing aid to Rafah.

"Even though the Rafah gate is closed, Israel is obligated to ensure the flow of food aid, clean water, sanitation, and health services to the people of Gaza. Otherwise, Israel commits war crimes," said the spokesperson for the UN Human Rights Commission, Ravina Shamdasani.

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The Spokesperson's Office of the United States Department of State issued a written statement stating that the US position is clear and unchanged. Washington believes that only hostage negotiations can provide positive results for both the Israeli and Palestinian communities.

AFP

Palestinian residents of Rafah prepare to build a refugee camp in Khan Yunis, Gaza Strip, May 6, 2024.

Meanwhile, as reported by ABC media on Monday (6/5/2024), Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong warned Israel against choosing the path of war. "Australia is concerned about the plan for a ground attack and its consequences. Together with G7 member countries, Australia urges Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's government not to choose this path," said Wong.

One of the Hamas officials, Izzat Al-Rashiq, stated that if this ground attack occurs, it will only endanger the ceasefire negotiation process. Both Palestine and Israel will suffer losses. In addition, the attack on Rafah is also certain to not be an easy matter for the Israeli military.

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On Monday, Hamas said they have accepted a ceasefire plan facilitated by Egypt and Qatar. Essentially, the ceasefire is divided into three phases, each consisting of 42 days. In the first phase, Hamas will release 33 hostages they abducted during the Aqsa Storm operation. At the same phase, Israel will release Palestinian prisoners they have detained.

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In the second phase, Israel began withdrawing troops from Gaza. After that, in the third phase, discussions about Gaza's management and development can begin.

AFP

Palestinians rescue a man who was crushed by debris caused by an Israeli airstrike in Rafah, Gaza Strip, May 5, 2024.

Israel has a number of objections to the ceasefire draft. The reason is that Hamas has included some things that Tel Aviv deems risky. Firstly, Hamas is asking Israel to release all hostages which includes Marwan Barghouti. He is a Fatah leader who has been sentenced to life in prison since 2002. Barghouti is known for calling on the Palestinian people to launch the Third Intifada against Israel.

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The second objection is regarding the permission to supply dual-use goods, both civilian and military, to Gaza. These goods are categorized as being used for civilian needs, but can also be processed for military purposes. For example, they can be used to create weapons and ammunition.

Therefore, Israel sent a delegation of middle-ranking officials to negotiate with Hamas in Cairo, Egypt. This delegation includes officials from the intelligence agencies Mossad and Shin Bet. (AP/Reuters)